HNNL April 2008 page 4 HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
For details of Sports and Social Club events and happenings
please visit their website

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HOOK NORTON (SENIOR SECTION) FOOTBALL CLUB
Just the other day I received the following e-mail:
“Hi Geoff
I made my first visit to Hook Norton F.C. last night. I'm a Cardiff City season ticket holder, living near Hereford, who's currently staying with in-laws in Shipston. I try to get to local matches whenever I can, two small children permitting, and just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my evening. The game was great, with two committed teams, and the catering and hospitality in the clubhouse were superb.
I usually attend these games as a neutral but, given Hooky play in the same blue and white as Cardiff City, I have to admit I cheered their goals as they went in! I'll be keeping an eye out for Hooky's results in the future and hope to visit again before too long.
Best wishes
Jon Chedgzoy”
When you receive an unexpected piece of communication like that, then it's reassuring in the least for those of us who put in so much time, money and effort to stage this level of football in our village. It somehow makes it all seem so much more worthwhile.
Both the First and Second Teams are now on the countdown to the end of season; in each case, they have under 10 matches remaining and, in each case also, no great accolades are expected since both teams will be content, if that happens, to cement their places in their respective divisions for next season. The First Team always knew that, following promotion back to the Premier Division, this season was not going to be easy but, with just eight matches remaining, Ben (Spiero) and Karlton (Stratford) are still aiming to attain 50 points, or thereabouts, which should earn the team a very healthy mid table position. Meanwhile, the Second Team, which has always struggled in recent years, will hopefully finish out of the bottom three positions, despite the constant problem of having to field an ever-altering line up each week, with many inexperienced players. Managing a Second Team can be a thankless task so, in this regard, we thank Marcus (Carberry) and Tony (Luckett) for their continuing cheerfulness and persistence in this respect.

Off the field, our Committee is delighted to welcome a new but very well known member into its ranks: local 'boy' Garnet Thomas who, for so many years, graced Hooky's First Team and was renowned for his “sweet left foot”. It's so good to have you on board, Garnet; you are, without doubt, a most valuable acquisition.
Our season is due to end on Saturday 26th April, after which we hand over The Bourne to our Cricket Club to whom we wish a happy and successful season. Our End of Season Presentation Evening is at the Clubhouse at 7.30pm on Friday 2nd May. See you there, and cheers for now.
Geoff ' Jesse' James




 JOGGING GROUP
  • all shapes, sizes and abilities welcome
    (we won’t leave you behind)
  • every Tuesday (come rain or shine)
    7pm at the Hook Norton Sports and Social Club
  • FREE !! Just turn up!

Hook Norton Harriers


Any Queries: Contact
Jane Duggan


HOOK NORTON HARRIERS
Hook Norton Harriers are starting a new beginners group on a Tuesday evening (7pm Sports and Social Club) for anyone who would like to start running at a gentle pace. The group will be supervised by one of our experienced runners.
The Harriers are doing well at the moment. The men's team has established itself in the top division of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League, and has two of its members selected to run for Oxfordshire.
We are a small club with a broad spectrum of ability and we welcome and support all-comers. Give it a try - nothing ventured nothing gained!!
Contact Dee Hailey


HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB
Spring is here and now is the time to dust off those whites. Unless of course you are already a member of Hook Norton cricket club, in which case you will have already been playing in one of the 3 indoor cricket tournaments for both seniors and juniors, or have been along to the net sessions for U15, U13, U11 or the senior nets sessions. The last of these, the senior nets for those U15 and upwards, continue right through until Sunday 20th April from 6-8pm every Sunday at Chipping Norton sports centre. It's an ideal time to come and meet members of the club so do come along.
We will then have an outdoor practice match for all the U15 upwards on Sunday 27th April from 2pm, so again please do ring and let us know if you would like to pop along. The season then starts on Mon 28th April for the juniors. We are always keen to welcome new players young and more senior in years !
They say that last summer's rain was a one off so please do ring Tim Lunel (Seniors) or Paul White (Juniors) and book your place in what we are sure will be a scorching summer!


NEWS FROM HOOK NORTON TENNIS CLUB
Keith Davies – died February 14, 2008
Keith was one of the first people I met when I joined the Hook Norton Tennis Club; I was nervous and hardly knew anyone there, but he did his best to put me at my ease and encourage me to play. That is the sort of man Keith was: kind, considerate – a gentleman. Keith was Chairman for six years and vice-chairman for a few more, and served on the committee for almost twenty years. He was a team captain and was recently made an Honorary Life Member. He was also the Chairman of the Banbury League for some years.
All of us at the Tennis Club will miss Keith greatly, and at the Annual General Meeting on 6th March, it was decided to have a Keith Davies trophy which will be won at one of our tournaments. It will be inscribed with the words we all associate with Keith: ”This is a good one to win.”
Junior coaching Hook Norton juniors Rob Gore, James Morris, Jamie Morton, Fern Scrivener and Amy Spackman have all performed well in the 12&U Oxfordshire Junior Club League this winter having competed against Banbury West End, North Oxford, Norham Gardens, Thame and Wychwood.
The Easter coaching programme starts on Tuesday 8th April to Friday 11th April and from Tuesday 15th April to Friday 18th April.
Ages 4–8 are from Tuesday to Friday from 9.30 am to 10.30 am at a cost of £16 for 4 days; ages 8-9 are from Tuesday to Friday from 10.30 am to 11.30 am at a cost of £16 for 4 days; ages 9-10 are from Tuesday to Friday from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm at a cost of £24 for 4 days; and 11+ juniors are from Tuesday to Friday from 1 pm to 3 pm at a cost of £32 for 4 days.
Please contact Marc Gilkes by telephone on 01295 265085 or email marcgilkes@fsmail.net for further details.
Adult Coaching The ladies coaching sessions are on Tuesdays from 10.00am-11.30 am; the cost per session is £7.50. Please contact Marc if you would like to attend.
Steve Bone continues his weekend coaching every third Sunday – contact Sean Callery for more details. Email: sean@caller.demon.co.uk
Matches The Summer C team was a runner-up in its division in the Banbury League and will therefore be promoted to division 2 this year. Congratulations to captain Rebecca Watts and her team for this achievement.
The Floodlit teams all performed well: our first team is currently in second place in division 1; our second team is in second place in division 2; our third team are at the top of division 3; and our fourth team are third in division 4. Congratulations to captains Di Spitzley, Paula Protherough, Rebecca Watts and Mary Kennedy.
Club Nights These are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7-9.30 pm and on Sunday mornings from 10 to 12. If you'd like to have a game of doubles, do come along.
Elaine Priestley, Treasurer


HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB - NEWS
Hi all , many thanks to all those who supported our Motown night on Feb 16th and to all those who donated raffle prizes, I'm sure those who came will agree that Mission Blue were fantastic. Look out for them again in the future. It was also nice to see some of the old gang (and I don't mean your ages) back at the club, hope to see you all again soon.
John Kench / Blue Meanies night - as my first choice of date clashed with other things going on in the village I have had to re-arrange this event and I'm trying to find suitable dates when both parties above are available at the same time before our summer presentations and sporting fixtures begin. I will keep everyone posted via heads of tables from ball.
As referred to above Summer is hopefully on it's way(although it doesn't look like it out of the window at the moment) and therefore the completion of the new club house is in sight. We are all getting ready for the big move and thinking of ways in which we can celebrate the club's history and take it forward.
To start the ball rolling we are looking for photo's, memorabilia, memories of events etc that have happened through the years at the club - Weddings / christenings , it's a knockout, parties, golden jubilee etc. If any one has anything they feel would be appropriate to display, please could you drop them off at the club or email them to me - secretary @ our web site below. We are hoping to show as many as possible during the last few months in our old building, a brief explanation attached to them ie: names, year etc would be great, we will return them to you afterwards. There will be a small prize for our favourite so get searching - we can't wait to see them.
For future open events at the club, see adverts throughout this newsletter.
However we would like to point out that Hook Norton Sports and Social club operates a members and guests only policy during its normal opening times. Renewals for memberships are now due.
Anyone wishing to join can apply via membership form on our web site , where you can also find our opening times, events and news on our affiliated sports clubs as well as sky sports and setanta listings, information on booking our venue and updates on the club visit www.hooknortonsportsandsocialclub.co.uk Alternatively call Colette at the club 01608 737132
Hope to see you all soon !!! -
Colette


ABINGDON DRAGON BOAT RACES SUNDAY 11TH MAY 2008
The Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper are holding their annual charity Dragon Boat Race day on Sunday 11 May 2008.
The races will be held this year near to Abingdon Lock as the location where we have held the races in the past became unavailable.
We are now looking for teams to enter the event, and wondered if this would be of interest to organisations within your village. Teams raise funds for their own organisations by way of sponsorship, and we ask for a donation of 1/3 of that raised for our Rotary funds.
This event usually raises up to £30,000 in total for charity, and is a highly enjoyable day for all of those who take part – and those who support and spectate.
On the day there are also craft stalls, a fun fair, food and drink, and a raffle, which this year is raising funds for Oxpip, a local charity which supports parents with babies to develop more loving and secure relationships.
Full details of the day are available from our website http://www.abingdon-rotary.org.uk which also includes details of our support to a number of local and international charities and organisations.
Please e-mail myself or db2008@abingdon-rotary.org.uk for more information.
If you know of any other organisations who may be interested please pass on this information. It makes a great team building event.
Other website links: Oxpip http://oxpip.org.uk/ Rotary International www.ribi.org
Many thanks,
Richard Benton, Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper